SEA TURTLE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN - OVERVIEW

Beyond Visions Foundation (BVF) conducted the Sea Turtle Awareness Campaign in the Virgin Islands (US) in partnership with the Virgin Islands Marine Conservation Service (WIMARCS) from 2005-2009 to bring the community’s attention to the plight of endangered sea turtles with the long-term goal of reducing the illegal harvesting of sea turtle and sea turtle products. This was also conducted collaboration with STAR (Sea Turtle And Rescue Network), a territory-wide group representing multiple environmental and conservation agencies, with the goals to be accomplished:

• Goal 1: Increase the community knowledge of plight of endangered sea turtles and the taking and trading in turtles and turtle products is illegal.
• Goal 2: Establish a one number call-in center where residents and visitors can report on sea turtles and other marine life activities.
• Goal 3: Establish a territory wide database that will identify key nesting sites of endangered sea turtles
• Goal 4: Produce a report of the findings that can be disseminated to public officials and developers in order that better decisions for the development of the territory’s coastal and marine environment is adopted.

BVF believes this project is important, particularly to engaged grassroots community residents. If interested in promoting the 800#, please call Yvonne Petersen or Nicholas Mena at (340) 718-0284 or email us at the links provided:

Yvonne D. Petersen, Executive Director

Nicholas Mena, Development Director